Work, Travel, Save...

 ..."Repeat." ~ Unknown.

 Part II of my Road trip. Part I here. On Friday, our plan was to take Noah to the Reptile Gardens. So we got up ate breakfast and planned to meet his grandma and him in the lobby for the drive. Which wasn't too far away from the hotel. 

Once we got to the gardens. We made our way in and got our tickets and immediately went inside the dome. The domed building was lush filled with trees and greenery everywhere. At the top level, were all the different snakes, lizards, fossils and plants. Even a few silly carnival mirrors. My grandson enjoyed it and spending time with his Dad was definitely the highlight for me.

I noticed the Bouganvillea tree or in CHamoru, "Puti Tai nobio"

My two fave boys!

I caught this special moment in time!

Watching Noah frolic and play while seeing all the interesting reptiles with his father was truly heartwarming for me. I am sure this will be a lovely memory for them both and myself. After we had gone through the dome area, there was a Bird Show we wanted to catch. So we left that area and headed to the show in another building. Sadly, instead of a bird show it was a show on snakes. Still interesting and Noah enjoyed it, he even got a chance to touch a python!! They both did! 

Sadly, I only took videos the rest of our visit there. Afterwards, we headed outside to the play ground and sand box. Noah was in his element! He was having a blast! By the end of the day we all were ready for lunch and my grandson was ready for a nap.

 We all got back to the hotel and relaxed the rest of the day. Tev and his son played until early evening. On Saturday, our plan was to head out to the Bear Butte National Park in Sturgis, SD for Noah's Naming Ceremony. His grandma Susan had everything planned out. Once there, the views were just amazing! The area felt very peaceful and sacred. You could see all the hikers walking up the mountain side too.

The plan was to set up and wait for Noah's Great Uncle and then we'd begin the ceremony. We didn't wait too long and while we had finished setting up the food table. We began with having Noah sit in a chair, myself in the other and the Lakota family surrounding us. Sadly, since Tevin and I were in the ceremony, we didn't get a chance to video any of it. But I will described what it was like...

The family surrounded Noah, Susan, Tevin and I and Susan's teenage grandson began the Lakota chanting songs while the rest of the family surrounded us. He sang with such beautiful tone and clarity, the song was of their Lakota Ancestors. I felt emotional by the end and just in aww with their tribal traditions. Tevin had to clip a blessed feather on Noah's hair. This feather was made for him and we were told that the feather would stay with him his entire life. 

Noah was so good, he simply sat in his chair and stayed prayerful. A feat even for a five year old! At the end, Tevin and Noah's great Uncle Virgil took food offerings to a sacred area and left them for the ancient Lakota spiritual ancestors. We all ate and Tev and I were in aww of the family and love they have for Noah and their welcoming love of Tevin and I. Noah's Lakota name was given to him by his great grandmother, who was still alive and we were told it is an ancient name that she had given him. How special is that?! Noah was just beaming with pride.

Just before the ceremony...

It was very beautiful and we learned that Bear Butte is one of seven sacred sights for the Lakota people. It was fitting that Susan had chosen this spot, you see my grandson's was also nicknamed, Noah Bear when he was a toddler! On Sunday, our last day with my grandson, Tevin decided to take him to a new spot that opened up in Rapid City, The Jump N Slide Adventure Park!

Noah and his cousins had a blast and didn't want to leave, well Noah didn't Haha! It was exhausting watching them jump and run or hop around. The park was huge with one area for older kids and one for younger ones as well. By Monday, we met Susan, Moralla Noah's older cousin and Noah for our goodbyes. The time had flown by so fast and we all had to head home. We hugged Noah and Susan and wished them safe travels as well. It was hard to say goodbye, but definitely hopes of more visits in the future! Tev and I headed out early about 7am back for Texas.

Leaving SD...

 

 

By 3pm on Tuesday, we had made it safely into San Antonio. So many things had happened and now it was coming to an end. I stayed a few days in Texas and left Tev and Monica by Easter Sunday. The trip had been bittersweet with so many blessings in between. I got back on Guam by Monday night and simply went to bed. Tevin had spoiled me while I was with him in Texas, now to get back to my life here on Guam. Ahhh, truly blessed and thankful for sure!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Don't Give Up...

 ..."Before the miracle can happen." ~ Fannie Flag

     We went on another Japan quick trip this past weekend. Since January we've been trying to get to Japan for just a weekend so Taby and her partner along with my grandson can get away. So finally after time off planned and flights looking a lot more decent. We made it out last Friday early morning and got into Narita, Japan for a three days and two nights getaway!

Gate waiting for shuttle bus.

My son in-law has never gotten a chance to see Japan except through the airport, so it was a first time for him and my grand baby. We made it to our hotel and then took the shuttle bus to get lunch at the mall. Of course I had to stop by my favorite shop, Patty's. Lots of new Swimmer items too! But I decided not to get anything, because my bedroom is small. My excuse! LMAO But just look at all those cute items!! Haha!

Patty's selection of cuteness!

We ate lunch at the mall and got our usual. Bought some supermarket snacks and food items. Went immediately to the claw machine room and Taby and Brenavin tried their luck. They did win a Micky and Donald Plush for baby! Yay! Sara and I just frequented the Gatcha machines and I got a few items there...

Sunset from hotel room.

As the sun set on Friday our first day in Narita. The next morning Sara, Taby and family were ready for breakfast. We had the buffet style breakfast always given at our hotel and enjoyed the views of the Koi pond. Then, we were ready for the Temple!!

Breakfast before the adventures...

 We caught a taxi to the Narita-san Temple. Brenavin and baby have never seen. So we made it there and it wasn't to busy just yet since we got there around 8am. We went to our fave spot where the Sakura trees were and in early bloom...

Brenavin, Taby and TJ.

Taby and my boy!

Kitties, Ohayo Gozaimasu!

We were even greeted by the local cats there!! The flowers were so beautiful. I had to take a shot with my little travel buddy!! Mostly the white Sakura trees throughout, but there were some dark pink Sakura trees as well, though not as many.

Small Puppy CC and Sakura blossoms.

Beautiful blooming Sakura!

This tree above has some little green birds picking at the cherry blossoms and making it fall onto us. It was so sweet and just the sight and sounds were so meditative. One of my favorite places to be for sure!!

a panoramic view of where I sat while waiting for the kids to come back to me...

After leaving the Temple, one of Brenavin's spots to see was this store called, "Up Garage". I think it's more like a Proline or NAPA store like on Guam! Lots of car stuff!! Just glad we made it there for him and he got a chance to enjoy it. Taby found this for me to look at, a resin gear knob with flowers inside. Too bad my little gear on the Prius may not be able to hold this one. Haha!

Gear knob, so cute!

Just a peek at the selection there.

After this shop, we caught a taxi to the mall for lunch and more shopping. We found a little eatery in the supermarket and got ourselves some freshly made candied apples and strawberries a Japan version of 'Tanghulu' called, 'Furitsu Ame', which are basically, 'candied fruits' like this strawberry one. So yummy!!

Candied apples.

Candied Strawberries.

Brenavin wanted to try this place he saw by Mcdonalds and he got this Indian dish of cheese bread and dipping sauces of veggie curry and I forgot the other curry flavor?! It was yummy too! We just relaxed and enjoyed our time checking out more shops.

Chapati above with curry sauces.

Gatcha Swimmer hair ties!

Fueki Kun Gatcha!!

We finally made it to the Gatcha room that they had in the mall that I went to last time. I wanted to see all the machines they had there for March. So many cute things too! I opted for just one item from the shop (I will share in separate post). Haha!! Sara got something as well.

bag from Mister Donut.

After a long day of walking around, we decided to get some dinner and head back to the hotel for the day. Taby and Brenavin decided to have a date night and Sara and I watched baby. They left later that evening, while Sara, baby and I watched some Japanese anime and ate our sweets from Mister Donut! Yummy! There was a Sakura mochi donut as well. Oh my goodness, Krispy Kreme ain't got nothing on these donuts!! LMAO!

Mister Donut choices, Sakura, Strawberry Mochi, and Chocolate dipped.

By Sunday morning, we did our usual start of breakfast and then planning our adventures for the day. We decided to check out by 11am and leave our bags at the hotel. We took our shuttle to the mall and spent the last day, just enjoying the sights of the mall and Brenavin getting stuff for his family. Sadly, the rain finally came by Sunday, though we had beautiful weather on Friday and Saturday, thank goodness! Sunday was gloomy, cold and wet. I kept saying lucky thing we went to the temple on Saturday and not waited until Sunday to go!!

Fujiya Peko Chan!!

 We checked out Book Off this time and Daiso there. Yes, still Daiso. Though we have a Daiso on Guam there are more things at Japan's Daiso and its way cheaper. Haha! So we enjoyed seeing the vast selection and enjoying the dollar versus yen goodness!

Book Off views.

More Book Off views.

By 1pm we were ready to eat lunch. Taby and Brenavin wanted Sara and I to try out the place they ate at the night before, Bronco Billy's Steakhouse. We took a taxi to the restaurant. Lots of rain and traffic too. Oh my goodness, it was very good and the beef steak had so much flavor to it! Definitely something Sam might enjoy!

Bronco Billy's Steakhouse Restaurant.

Grandbaby and Sara.

By 2pm, we decided to get back to the hotel get our bags, and head out to Terminal 1 for departure. We caught the shuttle bus to the airport and made it safely to the airport for some last minute shopping for Brenavin and Taby. Then onto our gate to wait for departure. It was an overall great time and definitely one of our memorable trips for sure, most especially for B and TJ!! Now, we got back safely home by around 2am. We are happy everyone enjoyed the trip! Yay!

Until next time Japan!! Live, enjoy the little things and take family along for the experiences!

Thank you for stopping by! ~ ggsdolls